Join the petition drive for a national Cesar E. Chavez holiday!

[Omaha Steve]

The man that gave the meaning to Nixon Eats Grapes!

http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/chavezholiday09
"Chavez left a legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and a civil rights leader. And his cause lives on. As farm workers and laborers across America continue to struggle for fair treatment and fair wages, we find strength in what Cesar Chavez accomplished so many years ago. And we should honor him for what he's taught us about making America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation. That's why I support the call to make Cesar Chavez's birthday a national holiday. It's time to recognize the contributions of this American icon."--Barack Obama


http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/14878/

Reposted from the LAunionafl-cio.org

As UFW Founder Cesar Chavez’ March 31st birthday approaches—an official holiday in eight states and dozens of cities and communities throughout the nation—we want to ask for your support in making Cesar’s March 31st birthday a national holiday.

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy called Cesar, "one of the heroic figures of our time." He led the historic non-violent movement for farm worker rights and dedicated himself to building a movement of poor working people that extended beyond the fields and into cities and towns across the nation. He inspired farm workers and millions of people who never worked on a farm to commit themselves to social, economic and civil rights activism. Cesar’s legacy continues to educate, inspire and empower people from all walks of life.

"Chavez left a legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and a civil rights leader. And his cause lives on. As farm workers and laborers across America continue to struggle for fair treatment and fair wages, we find strength in what Cesar Chavez accomplished so many years ago. And we should honor him for what he's taught us about making America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation. That's why I support the call to make Cesar Chavez's birthday a national holiday. It's time to recognize the contributions of this American icon."--Barack Obama

"I have been a farm worker since I was 8 years old. Even now, working in the fields is hard work, but before Cesar it was so much harder. Cesar made such a difference to the farm workers out in the fields. He unified us all, not just Mexicans, but Filipinos, Black, White and all other races. He gave us the courage to fight for our rights. He made many huge changes for the people who work in the fields. He got us breaks, bathrooms, unemployment insurance, the ALRB and so much more. He also got rid of many dangerous pesticides and he not only worried about farm workers but for all people so that their food would be safe. Cesar deserves a holiday and so much more."
--Josephina Flores

"He evoked a spirit and a challenge to all of us to do what was right for its own sake...A national holiday honoring Cesar Chavez would secure his profound legacy."
--Martin Sheen

The Cesar Chávez National Holiday Coalition is gathering signatures asking Congress to designate March 31--Cesar’s birthday--as Cesar Chávez Day. The United Farm Workers and the Cesar E. Chávez Foundation are proud to support the grassroots efforts of the Cesar E. Chávez National Holiday Coalition.

Please help us ensure all Americans learn about Cesar's life and work by signing the petition asking Congress to designate March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day.

Sign the petition today!

http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/chavezholiday09

FULL story at link. I signed.

[KG]

1. Fuck That Dictatorial Piece Of Shit!

oops wrong Chavez! :P

[tbyg52]

2. K, R, done, & forwarded. nt

[dysfunctional press]

3. the only people who get paid time off on national holidays are govt. employees and bankers...

oh, and teachers- which also means that everyone else has to figure out daycare for their kids.

and the government people are getting their paid day off on the taxpayer's dime...

don't we already have plenty of those kind of holidays?

[Omaha Steve]

7. So no Latino heros allowed?

Most unionized workers get the national holidays. Those that don't gave them up in bad times (like now). From what you are saying, I can tell you want EFCA to pass so YOU too can be a happy union member with benefits like the national holidays.

[dysfunctional press]

8. most unionized workers do NOT get the national holiday...

and only something like 12% of the labor force is actually unionized anyway- and a big share of those are government workers and teachers who already get the day off, union or no.
when i was a union construction laborer- we'd get off the major holidays- but not things like president's day, or mlk day.
ditto for when i was a unionized grocery store employee- except then we didn't even get off for most off the MAJOR holidays.
most airlines are unionized- and they keep flying 24/7/364


as for the "no latino heros allowed" reference- there's only one possible response to that:

:eyes:

if every ethnic group and/or minority is going to be represented by a national holiday- the taxpayers will be getting VERY little service for their tax dollars.

[Omaha Steve]

9. You really seem upset with government workers and or teachers

Have you ever applied for a government job? I spent 10 years as a seasonal, part time, provisional, etc.. I had no benefits and worked crap hours for low pay. Once as was required while I was a provisional, I lived for 9 months with my wife and 3 kids in a crappy 2 bedroom trailer that badly needed repair. That was a bad winter. I didn't get the job after all that. I left the city for 4 years. When a job came up I learned with on the job training I was hired. After 9 years of full time, my job was eliminated (Fall of 06) I bumped under the contract provisions. I was fired illegally 4 months later. It took my union to win me reinstatement. I can't strike. The state commission is our only recourse. It ain't as great working for Uncle Sam as you think.

I sustained a life long bodily impairment on the job in Dec. 08. OSHA doesn't cover government workers. We average a worked killed in my bargaining group (600) every 5 years. The last was a snow plow driver that was crushed between 2 trucks in the service yard in the dark early morning hours. That was a great Valentine's Day present for his relatives.

A year ago I applied for a promotion while out from work recovering from surgery. Even with bad economic times only 70 people applied for 6 openings. I believe it was 62 that showed up for the test. How many does Walmart get to apply for an opening? The first person on the test had never worked for the city before and had his license already. I was #5 of the 6 hired for the job. I spent 2 weeks vacation to stay at a motel at my expense to get to the point of passing my EPA required test. By the national average, I'm underpaid. One worker died at our sister plant 12 years ago. Get my point? I tend to blow a little steam when tax payer comments come up.

I had to work on Presidents Day. Just like the airlines you mention. I got dbl time and 1/2 for it. We ran a skeleton crew. We have 24-7 minimum staff requirements.

Your 12% comment is again another great argument to pass EFCA. I hope you see that?

IF you check the top link, you will see President Obama and others you will recognize support the holiday effort.

Not every group. But the swing vote in the future of elections (in heavy R states to boot) will be Latino. I'd rather that group vote D than R. It is simple math. R's want cheap labor to produce for them. But they want them illegal to keep them from voting. It isn't hard to figure when you think about it.

Except for going door to door for Bobby Kennedy, the grape boycott was my first political hands on lesson. I remember being handed a flyer with the photo of a young girl. The caption was "Every grape you buy keeps this child hungry". I've never forgotten what César Chávez did for the downtrodden. You know those people the Statue of Liberty talks about. 3 out of 4 of my ancestors came to the USA to make better for themselves. They took the lands of my other native ancestors.

Make the unions strong again with EFCA. The middle class will benefit from it. I'm calling it a night.

OS

[dysfunctional press]

10. not at all- but neither group needs to have yet another paid day off on the taxpayer's dime.

that's all.
and i'm sure that the vast majority of non-governmental employees would agree with that whole-heartedly.

[Omaha Steve]

11. Congratulations

Now you know how the owner of the company you work for feels when YOU ask for paid time off. Vacation, sick time, holiday.

I'm a delegate of the Omaha Federation of Labor. I know very well which unions get national holidays or overtime for working it. It isn't just government workers or teachers.

Support EFCA and you too can have a stronger union. Then you too can have national holidays off. Very simple.

[dysfunctional press]

12. we weren't talking about "or overtime" we were talking about who actually gets the day off w/pay...

i'm retired, permanently, since age 38 due to disability- and my union screwed me several times in major ways. i honestly don't give a rat's ass either way as far as efca is concerned- and besides, i already have the national holidays off.
i'll agree that unions did a lot of good in getting things changed in this country- but some of them let themselves become bloated and corrupt, and that allowed the corporati to turn them into the public face of unions. and teachers unions aren't particularly popular with a lot of the people these days either.
the glory days of trade unionism may all be long past.

[Omaha Steve]

20. The face of unions?

60% of Americans that work and don't have a union want one. Fear of getting fired for organizing keeps them from doing it. Union membership is up in the USA the last 2 years as W made things worse. EFCA will provide a fair legal chance to organize. It will take a few years to get up to speed after it passes.

BTW I was fired for union organizing in 1980 and my NLRB case is online for those that want to see it.

Your on disability. I was fired 2 years ago illegally for filing an ADA complaint. It was my union that got me reinstated with back pay. They paid the lawyer and fees. The city settled 5 days before the case was to go before a binding arbitrator.

OS

[dysfunctional press]

21. if everyone is so mcuh in favour of unions, how do right-to-work laws get passed?

a LOT of non-union blue-collar american workers have a very negative view of unions. i'm not saying that it's completely justifed, but there is definitely some shady history with some of them. the construction trade unions in the chicago area are a good example- there are a bunch of corrupt assholes and thugs involved with them- at least there was 10-15 years ago when i was working high-rise construction. and it doesn't take too many bad apples to spoil the whole bunch, public perception-wise.

[Omaha Steve]

22. Good question

You know that liberal media you hear about. Owned by big corporations. But that is part of it. CNN fired 120 workers 5 years ago ONLY because they belonged to a union. So said an administrative law judge last Fall. Google it or look in the Labor Forum here. Get my point? That same media is afraid the fairness doctrine will come back. Wouldn't it be nice to see Rush shut up?

Now look at the map of right to work states. Compare it to the map of states that tend to vote Republican in elections. Almost identical.

Yes there are bad unions and bad officers. There are also bad members. Don't go to meetings. Bitch about things without knowing why something has to be done a certain way. Don't vote in their best interests in elections. That's a hint on your right to work question.

Some members in my plant aren't happy I came in with seniority and took a good shift. That is the way it is in our contract. Actually it is that way in most contracts.

That enough or do you need more? I'm sorry it took so long to answer. I got home late. See my post about my 1,500 friends and I partying tonight in this forum.

OS

[knowbody0]

4. so long ago, my very first demonstration was for Cesar!

thanks for this

[AlphaCentauri]

5. Done

[deaniac21]

6. That guy is still kicking ass in Venezuela!

[Lost in CT]

13. March 31st?.... make it May 5th and we can talk... nt

[EFerrari]

14. El Cinco has nothing to do with Chavez. n/t

[Lost in CT]

16. I already planning to go out on may 5th hello two birds uno stone here,

You don't want this to turn into another Columbus Day do you... (Which reminds me we should make St Patrick's day a national holiday and do away with Columbus day)

[Vanje]

15. Done. with enthusiasm! nt

[Blue_Tires]

17. ttt

[cobalt1999]

18. LOL

:rofl:

...wiping tears of laughter away...

Thanks for the good night laugh!

[EFerrari]

19. Kick